Monday, March 26

So here's the big deal: I've been feverishly working on 4 canvases since January, and they were handed over yesterday to their new home in Red Deer, Canada. Each canvas has the image of a person who has a unique story, and one that I hope would be a catalyst of sorts to change the world. Click on the links under each photo to find out how you, too, can help.

"Desert Sand" is the African region of the world. Fatimou is the beautiful young lady painted here. She represents "Girls at Risk", girls who are coming into puberty, whose lives are at a crossroads, one where they risk early marriage, early pregnancy, illiteracy, HIV or AIDS, and poverty. The Niger Vocational Training Center gives these girls an education and a trade as a seamstress, so that they have hope for a future that isn't quite so dim. Visit my friend Chantelle's site for more info: NVOC.

The "Caribbean Sun" region represents all of Latin America. The girl painted here lives in a jail with her family. Often when the parent commits a crime and is jailed, the entire family must also move in to the jail to provide food and care for the prisoner, as it is not provided by the prison system. A group of Canadians went down to minister to these impoverished people in an unfortunately common situation. To support a ministry that reaches people like her, visit Inca Link.

The "Silk Road" region is where we will be heading: it includes Europe. This man is a Bosnian refugee, who was able to escape his country, only to find additional hardship once he landed in his new land. Visit the photographer's website for your daily does of inspiration: The Looking Glass.

The "Asian Spice" region is just that: all of Asia. Poverty is only one of many major issues that has stricken this unique region, not the least of which the natural disasters of late. These three boys' looks say much. Visit this website of the CMA and click on the "Compassion Catalogue" to find out how you can make a tangible difference in all the regions of the world.

Friday, March 23

Drawing from a live model is something that I know is important, but it's something I rarely get to do.

So last night, I told my dad and husband that they were going to do it, because I had a live demo the next day, and I needed to brush up on my skills.

Dad took about 30-45 minutes, and I was fairly pleased. It looks like him. I would like to have taken it further, especially in the eyes, but because he'd just had major oral surgery, I let him go to bed.

Kurt's was easier initially, then as I got more tired, I started to lose my measuring ability, not to mention my eye-focussing ability. It's him, though.